Projectile

ABSTRACT

A projectile having a body including a waist segment having a diameter substantially equal to a caliber of the projectile, and a fore segment continuous to and extending forward from the waist segment. The body includes a bore formed along a longitudinal axis of the projectile and extending from a leading edge of the fore segment through the body to a floor of the bore located at a first depth from the leading edge of the fore segment. The projectile also includes a tip segment having a which is inserted within the bore. A void is formed between a butt end of the tip segment and the floor of the bore. Upon impact, the tip segment is displaced rapidly through the body causing rapid expansion of the projectile followed by fragmentation as the tip segment is displaced through the body of the projectile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field.

[0002] This invention relates generally to projectiles and more specifically to a frangible projectile having a hollow core and a polymeric nose insert.

[0003] 2. Background Art.

[0004] Frangible projectiles, are desirable for a variety of applications including close quarter tactical applications and firing range use. In each case, the situation demands that the probability of ricochet or target penetration or pass through be effectively eliminated. Additionally, in a firing range setting, expended rounds can create danger by providing a surface against which new rounds can ricochet. Standard or non-frangible projectiles may cause undesirable damage to persons or property in close quarter tactical and firing range applications.

[0005] Attempts to provide a frangible projectile, that is, a projectile which fractures, disassociates or disintegrates upon striking a target or other surface have been made. Attempts have included projectiles comprising compressed metallic powders and compressed composite powders, plastics and plastic composites, epoxies or resins, ceramics and cement. None of these materials or combinations of materials have proven to be altogether satisfactory, particularly from a standpoint of being economically manufactured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is directed to a projectile having a body including a waist segment having a diameter substantially equal to a caliber of the projectile, and a fore segment continuous to and extending forward from the waist segment. The body includes a bore formed along a longitudinal axis of the projectile and extending from a leading edge of the fore segment through the body to a floor of the bore located at a first depth from the leading edge of the fore segment. The projectile also includes a tip segment which is inserted within the bore with the end of the tip segment forming the nose of the projectile. A void is formed between a butt end of the tip segment and the floor of the bore.

[0007] The projectile has a fore segment with arcuate side walls forming a truncated ogive fore segment when viewed in longitudinal cross-section and a hollow cylindrical bore extending inward from the leading circumferential edge of the bore. The open end of the bore defines a leading circumferential edge. The waist segment of the body of the projectile has a diameter that is effective to make contact with the rifling of a gun barrel and to impart a twist to the projectile. In one embodiment of the invention, the body of the projectile includes a boattail segment continuous to and extending rearward from the waist segment that reduces in diameter toward the rear of the projectile for ballistic stability serving to reduce drag.

[0008] The preferred embodiment of the projectile exhibits a relatively low mass. In one embodiment of the invention, the body of the projectile is formed having a wall thickness of less than or equal to 0.15 times the caliber of the projectile. The projectile also preferably includes an end wall having a thickness less than or equal to 0.25 times the caliber of the projectile. The resulting projectile has a relatively low mass, for instance a 0.224 caliber round manufactured according to the teachings of the present invention may have a mass of 20 grains.

[0009] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the body of the projectile is formed monolithically, that is, the body is formed from a single piece of stock material. The projectile may be manufactured employing conventional machining techniques, reducing stock material to desired dimensions and configurations. Preferably, the stock material is a relatively brittle copper alloy, for example, C-145, a Tellurium copper-alloy containing less than 1% Tellurium.

[0010] The tip segment is formed preferably of a relatively malleable material. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the tip segment is formed of a polymeric material. Nylon 6/6 having a specific gravity of 1.14, and a tensile strength of 11,000 psi and tensile elongation equal to or greater than 10% has proven to be acceptable for forming the tip segment. The tip is readily formed by an injection molding process.

[0011] In flight stability is largely dependent upon a high muzzle velocity, over 4000 feet per second, fps. The combination of high velocity and low mass results, upon impact, in a rapid transfer of energy from the projectile to the target. Upon impact, the relatively malleable tip segment is displaced rapidly through the body causing rapid expansion of the projectile from the tip rearward followed by fragmentation as the tip segment is displaced through the body of the projectile. Additionally, it is believed that the rapid displacement of the tip segment through the bore results in an increased internal pressure within the bore resulting in an increased and more rapid energy transfer. In any event, the described projectile design results in a very rapid transfer of energy from the projectile to the target followed by effective disintegration or disassociation of the projectile. The projectile produces substantial concussive shock, limited penetration and a shallow yet circumferentially large wound channel. Following disassociation of the projectile, the probability of ricochet, target penetration or pass through is reduced substantially.

[0012] With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a representative perspective view of a projectile according to the invention; and

[0014]FIG. 2 is a representative side cutaway view of a projectile according to the invention; and

[0015]FIG. 3 is a representative side cutaway view of a projectile according to the invention upon impact.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, projectile 10 is shown to advantage. Projectile 10 is shown including body 11 which, in the embodiment shown, is formed monolithically, that is body 11 is formed from a single piece of stock material. Body 11 is formed having waist segment 12 having a diameter D1 substantially equal to a caliber of the projectile. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, body 11 also includes fore segment 13 which begins at first transition 14 and is continuous to and extends forward from waist segment 12. Body 11 includes bore 15, which, as shown in FIG. 2 is formed along longitudinal axis L of projectile 10 extending from leading edge 16 of fore segment 13 through body 11 to blind end 17 of bore 15. FIG. 2 also shows bore 15 having a depth B measured from leading edge 16 to blind end 17.

[0017] Projectile 10 also includes tip segment 25, which as shown in FIG. 2, is inserted within bore 15. Tip segment 25 includes nose portion 26 forming the nose of projectile 10 and neck portion 27 which is configured to be pressed snugly within bore 15. Neck portion 27, shown in FIG. 2, joins shoulder 28 which extends laterally to join trailing edge 29 of nose portion 26. When assembled in body 11, void 18 is formed between butt end 30 of tip segment 25 and blind end 17 of bore 15.

[0018] Projectile 10 may also include boattail segment 35 having a latitudinal diameter that constantly decreases from second transition 19 to heel 20 of projectile 10. As shown in FIG. 2, one preferred projectile according to the present invention includes fore segment 13 having length L2 less than or equal to 25% of length L1 of body 11. Fore segment 13 may be configured including a continuously curving convex longitudinal profile, or in the alternative, may be configured having a constantly decreasing latitudinal diameter. Waist segment 12 includes length L3 less than or equal to 66% of length L1 of body 11. Boattail segment 35 includes length L4 less than or equal to 15% of length L1 of body 11.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a representative side cutaway view of projectile 10 upon impact. Upon impact, the relatively malleable tip segment 25 is displaced rapidly through void 18 causing rapid expansion of body 11 rearward followed by fragmentation as tip segment 25 is displaced through void 18 of projectile 10. Body 11 disassociates to fragments 36 which are incapable of penetrating a wall section constructed employing standard framing techniques, i.e. 2″×4″ nominal framing members with ½″ drywall attached to either side of the framed wall section.

[0020] While this invention has been described with reference to the detailed embodiments, this is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications to the described embodiments, as well as additional embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A projectile comprising: a body including a waist segment having a diameter substantially equal to a caliber of the projectile, and a fore segment continuous to and extending forward from the waist segment, the body including a bore formed along a longitudinal axis of the projectile, the bore extending from a leading edge of the fore segment through the body to a floor at a first depth; a tip segment inserted within the bore; and a void disposed between a butt end of the tip segment and the floor of the bore.
 2. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a body formed monolithically.
 3. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a body formed monolithically by a metal reduction process.
 4. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a relatively brittle copper-nickel alloy.
 5. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises an end wall having a thickness less than or equal to 0.25 times the caliber of the projectile.
 6. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the body further comprising: the fore segment including a side wall having a thickness less than or equal to 0.15 times the caliber of the projectile.
 7. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the fore segment further comprises a truncated ogive fore segment.
 8. The projectile of claim 1 further comprising a tapered tail segment continuous to and extending rearward from the waist segment. 